Pac-10 North Baseball

In predicted order of finish

Washington Huskies

1994 record: 20-10, 2nd; 46-18, lost in championship game of Midwest II Regional. Coach: Ken Knutson, 2nd year, 85-37

Key returners: Brett Merrick (P), Ross Junkin (3B), Steve Doherty (SS), Joe Trippy (OF), Jon Vaner Griend (OF).

Outlook: UW returns five players who were either first- or second-team All-Pac-10 North Division selections last spring and Knutson’s deep and talented Huskies seem ready to make another run at the division title that narrowly eluded them a year ago. Merrick, a junior lefty, set a league record with 20 saves as a sophomore and is predicted to be the North Division’s top pick in the major-league draft this June. The Dawgs also return senior outfielder Trippy, who batted .358 last season, and defensive specialist Doherty, who is capable of playing any infield position.

Gonzaga Bulldogs

1994 record: 13-17, 4th; 29-23, no postseason play

Coach: Steve Hertz, 17th year, 15th at Gonzaga; 469-446, 410-384 at Gonzaga

Key returners: Jerrod Wong (1B-P), Carter Masterson (OF), Corey Wong (P), Darrin Blood (P), Andy Norton (C).

Outlook: GU hasn’t finished higher than fourth in the Pac-10 North since 1989, but this spring it looks like coach Hertz has enough returning talent to push Washington for the division title. The Bulldogs have a pair of big-time hitters in Jerrod Wong and senior outfielder Masterson, who combined to hit 22 homers and drive in 119 runs last spring. Hertz also has a veteran pitching staff anchored by junior right-hander Blood, who was 7-4 with a 3.53 earned run average.

Oregon State Beavers

1994 record: 22-8, 1st; 35-16, no postseason play

Coach: Pat Casey, 7th year, 7, 1st at Oregon State, 171-113

Key returners: Allen Snelling (SS), Jeremy Beard (P), Kevin Hooker (P), David Schmidt (C), Marc Malloy (OF).

Outlook: With Casey taking the reins from longtime OSU coach Jack Riley, the Beavers program would seem to be in a state of transition. But Casey is hoping to confound the experts and keep the Beavers atop the Pac-10 North, where they finished last spring. Filling the pitching holes left by the departure of major-league draftees Mason Smith and Mike Thurman won’t be easy, but seniors Beard and Hooker have proven they can get batters out at this level. The defense, particularly in the infield, where there is experience at every position, should be solid.

Washington State Cougars

1994 record: 11-19, 5th; 35-26, no postseason play

Coach: Steve Farrington, 1st year

Key returners: Mike Kinkade (DH), Kyle Kawabata (P), Ron Naumu (2B), Robert Ramsay (P), Eric Estes (P), Ken Cameron (OF).

Outlook: The Cougars struggled early under first-year coach Farrington, who replaced the legendary Bobo Brayton, the school’s all-time winningest coach. But they have played much better in the latter part of their non-conference schedule and might be poised to surprise a few people who penciled them in for another seconddivision finish this spring. Senior Kinkade can carry a team with his bat when he’s swinging it well and might be capable of powering WSU into title contention by year’s end. The Cougars haven’t won the North since 1991 and will need continued solid pitching from Kawabata, Ramsay and Estes if they hope to do so again this spring.

Portland Pilots

1994 record: 10-20, 6th; 22-33, no postseason play

Coach: Terry Pollreisz, 8th year, 212-209-2

Key returners: Brad Reitzenstein (P), Nathan Smith (1B), Dan Chastain (C), Ken Wicher (OF), Les Dennis (SS), Jeff Simpson (2B).

Outlook: League coaches, who picked Portland to finish fifth, might be underestimating the Pilots, who return 15 letterwinners, including catcher Chastain, shortstop Dennis, second-baseman Simpson, center fielder Wicher and senior right-hander Reitzenstein, a first-team all-conference pick. With that kind of experience up the middle, coach Pollreisz’s veteran team could surprise in a huge way.

Portland State Vikings

1994 record: 14-16, 3rd; 30-24, no postseason play.

Coach: Dave Dangler, 1st year

Key returners: Greg Wooten (P), Josh Post (P), Gabe Sandy (OF), Jeff Range (SS), Cabe Jones (OF).

Outlook: Coach Dangler, who replaced Jack Dunn, doesn’t have much on which to build during his rookie season. Sophomore righty Wooten is a proven pitcher, and if Post can come back from the arm problems that plagued him last season, the Vikings should be able to keep most games close. But only three returning position players have any meaningful experience.